Printing-machine.



C. A. ROOT.

PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18, 1911,.

Patented May 26, 1914.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1 1 Fig. IX.Fig.YII. 25 23 attesting-6 .G. A. ROOT.

PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED APR. 18, 1911. 1 ,O97,77Q, Patented May 26, 1914.

I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

i 78 73 i I N. 75'

T 1 q l W W 1 1 H B/ KN u I 7 I M l l. h h h 5 H2 72 1 h 1 N r 62 w 7/77 74 s2 1 1 l 4| /f /0 I 77 M2 6') l n 1 w 0 l 6 fo ,z L 5 1 IY I02 gSnow/Mon Fig.1

COLUMBIK PLANOGRAPH co..WAsmNGTON, D.

oNrrED STATES, PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. ROOT, 0F SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

PRINTING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES A. R001,

a citizen of the United States,-residing at Salt Lake City, Utah, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing- Machines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in printing machines,

The mainobjects of this invention are: First, to provide an improvedprinting machine which is easily operated. Second, to provide in aprinting machine an improved means for automatically timing theexposure. Third, to provide an improved printing machine which is verycompact and one in which the parts are readily accessible. Fourth, toprovide in a printing machine having a colored lamp, an improved switchtherefor which is automatically closed by the opening of the platen.Fifth, to provide in a printing machine, an improved platen.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, willdefinitely appear fro-m the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification. The structure describedconstitutes one efiiective embodiment of my invention. Other embodimentswould be readily devised by those skilled in the art.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure constituting an effective and preferred embodiment of thefeatures of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a detail perspective view of my improved printing machine,the platen being closed. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the platen open.Fig. 3 is a side elevation with the side wall 2 removed, the partsmounted on the side wall being also removed. Fig. 4 is an insideelevation of the wall 2 with the parts mounted thereon, a portion of thecasing being partially in vertical section, on a line corresponding toline 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section taken on a linecorresponding to line 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail horizontalsection taken on aline corresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is anenlarged detail vertical section taken on a line corresponding to line7'-7 of Fig, 1,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 18, 19 11.

Patented May 26, 1914.

Serial No. 621,835.

showing details of the platen. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectiontaken on a line corresponding-to line 8-8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is adetailvertical section taken on a line corresponding to line 9-9 of Fig.8. Fig. 10 1s a detail horizontal section taken on a line correspondingto line 1010 of Fig. 4, show lng details of the switch device. 9

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the box-like casing 1 is preferably providedwith a removable side wall 2, the wall 2 being socured as by means ofthe screws 3. This side 2 is made removable, a portion of the mechanismbeing mounted thereon so that the mechanism is all readily accessible.The top of the casing is providedwith a printing opening 4, over which Iordinarily arrange a ground glass 5. adapted to support the negative, as6. The platen is made up of sections 7, 8 and 9, the rear section 7being hinged at its rear edge to the casing by means of'the hinges 10,while the rear edge of the intermediate section 8 is hinged to theforward edge of the rear section 7 by means of the hinges 11 disposed atthe outer sides of the holder sections 7 and 8, and the forward section9 is hinged to the intermediate section 8 by means of the hinges 12disposed at the in ner sides of the sections 8 and 9. The holdersections 8 and 9 are provided with a continuous facing 13. (See Figs'l,2 and 7). By this arrangement, the forward section 9 may be swung upslightly to permit the inspection of the work and an even pressure onthe platen is secured. To secure this pressure, I mount on the forwardsection 9 a spring 14, the spring being secured at a central point as bythe screw 15, while its ends project upwardly. On the forward end of thespring is a latch 16, which is engaged by the spring keeper 17 when theplaten is closed. The keeper 17 is preferably arranged in a chamber orcavity 18 provided therefor in the front wall of the casing, and has abutton 19 which may be engaged from the outside of the casing. The latch16 is provided with a retaining loop 20. I also provide a stop 21arranged through a slot 22 in the latch which limits the upward movementof the latch, the stop This glass is being carried by the holder section9, (see Figs. 1 and 7.)

The rear end of the spring 14 is connected to a coiled spring 23, whichhas a rod-like extension 24 arranged between the rear and intermediateholder sections 7 and 8. (See Fig. 8.) The rear holder section is heldunder spring tension by means of the spring 25, which is secured to thecasing and provided with an extension 26 secured to the forward edge ofthe section 7. The rear holder section 7 is provided with a clamping bar27 at its forward edge, which is adapted to engage the rear edge of thenegative. (See Fig. 7.) The rear section is raised to permit theinsertion of the negative under this clamping bar by means of a fingerpiece 28 which is provided with a pivot portion 29 disposed in a groove30 in the top of the casing and with an offset or arm 31 arranged undersection 7, so that when the finger piece is swung rearwardly on itspivot portion, the section 7 is raised.

The platen is held in its open position by means of the spring 32, oneend of which is connected to the rear holder section 7 and the other tothe intermediate section 8. (See Fig. 2.) I provide an angle-shapedguide 33 at one corner and a stop or guide 34 on the same side to assistin the arranging of the negative. My improved platen is effective forthe purpose, and, at the same time, is very convenient to manipulate.

I will now describe the switch controlling mechanisms or devices for thecolored lamp 35 and the printing lamp 36. The opening of the platencloses the switch for the colored lamp and sets the timing mechanism.The casing is provided with a plug socket 37 which is connected by thewire 38 to the plate 39 having a contact member 40 thereon. A contactmember 41 is connected by the wire 42 to the lamp 35. The switch blade43 coacts with the switch members 40 and 41 by striking between them inthe well-known way. The switch blade 43 is pivoted at 44 on the bracket45, and is connected by the links 46 and 47 to the lever 48 which ispivoted at 49 to the bracket 50 at the upper end of the casing. Thelinks 46 and 47 are provided with a slip connection, a pin and slotconnection being shown, the link 47 being provided with a pin 51engaging the slot 52 in the link 46. The link 46 is of insulatingmaterial and is connected by the pivot 53 to the switch blade 43, whilethe upper end of the link 47 is connected by the pivot 54 to the lever48. Pivoted to the platen at 55 is an arm 56, having a pin 57 thereonadapted to engage the lever 48.

When the platen is in its open position. as disclosed in Fig. 3, theswitch is closed. When the platen is closed, the switch is opened bymeans of the spring 58 which is secured to the link 47 and the bottom ofthe casing. (See Fig. 3.) To secure a prompt or snap opening and closingof the switch, I provide the switch blade 43 with an upwardly-projectingarm 59, arranged over the blade pivot 44. To this arm and to the base ofthe casing, I connect a spring 60, so that as soon as the switch bladeis moved su'fiiciently to swing the arm to either side of the center ofthe pivot, the spring 60 acts to quickly open or close the switch. Theslip connection between the links 46 and 47 permits this movement. Thearm 56 is provided with a spring 61, which is coiled about the pivot 55,one end being secured thereto and the other arranged to engage the arm,as shown in Fig. 3.

The switch for the printing lamp 36, in the structure illustrated,consists of the spring contact members 62 and 63, the member 62 beingconnected by the wire 64- to the plate 65, which is mounted on theremovable wall adapted to engage the plate 68 when the wall is in place.(See Fig. 10.) The switch member 63 is connected by the wire 66 to thebinding plate 67 which is also mounted on the removable wall and engagesthe plate 39 when the wall is in place. The plate 68 is connected by thewire 69 to the lamp 36. The lamp is connected to the socket 37 by thewire 70. The switch members are held in engagement by the catch 71,which is mounted on the pivot 72. An angled lever 73, pivoted at 74, isconnected to the catch by a slip connection so that by the adjustment ofthe lever, the swinging end of the catch is raised or lowered. One armof the lever is arranged through the casing to engage the toothed plate75. The catch 71 projects into the path of the dashpot cylinder 7 6,which is mounted upon the tubular piston rod 77. This hollow or tubularpiston rod opens through the piston 78 so that as the cylinder movesdown on its iii-stroke, the air escapes through the port 7 9 at thelower end of the rod. 5-.) This port is controlled by the valve 80, bythe adjustment of which the escape of the air is controlled.

The dash-pot is provided with a member 81 adapted to engage the catch71. (See Figs. 4 and 5.) By the adjustment of the lever 73, the catch israised or lowered, as stated, 50 that it is engaged sooner or later inthe movement of the dash-pot. The catch is held yieldingly in itsengaging position by means of the spring 82. The connection for thelever and catch in the struc ture illustrated consists of a pin 83 onthe lever which engages the slot 84 in the catch. The catch 71 isprovided with a pivot-engaging slot 7 2, which permits its being liftedto release the contact or switch members when engaged by the dash-potcylinder and also to permit the engagement of the switch members. Thedash-pot is actuated (See Fig.

by a spring 85, one end of which is connected to the rib 86 on theremovable side wall, the other to the pivoted arm 87 which is pivoted.at 88 on the rib 86. The other end of the arm 87 is connected to theswinging end of the link 89 by means of the pivot 90. This link 89 ispivoted at 91 to the dash-pot cylinder.

The link 56 is provided with an off-set 92, which is adapted to engagethe arm 87 when the platen is open to elevate the dashpot cylinder. Thedash-pot is held in its raised position against the tension of thespring 85 by means of the spring catch 93, which engages the pin 94; onthe arm 87. This catch is released by the lever 95, which is pivoted at96 and provided with a fingerpiece 97 arranged through the slot 98 inthe top of the casing; The lever is connected by the link 99 to thecatch, the link being provided with a slot 100 which engages the pin 101on the trip. This connection allows the catch 93 to engage withoutactuating the trip. The lower end of this lever is adapted to engage theswitch member 63 for shifting it into engagement with the retainingcatch 71, so that when the lever is actuated, the switch for theprinting lamp is closed, and, at the same time,'the dashpot cylinderreleased, which, at the expiration of a desired period, opens theswitch, thus cutting off the printing lamp. The piston rod 77 of thedash-pot is supported on a bracket 102 mounted 011 the rib .103 carriedby the removable side wall. For supporting the cylinder when the partsare assembled I provide a guide-way 104 with which the slotted block 105on the cylinder engages when the parts are assembled, the

guide way being mounted within the casing. (See Figs. 4 and 6.) p

I have illustrated and described my improvements in detail in the formin which I have embodied them in practice. I am aware, however, thatthey are capable of very great structural modifications withoutdeparting from my invention, but as such structural modifications orvariations will no doubt be obvious to those skilled in the art to whichthis invention relates, I have not attempted to illustrate or describethe same herein.

In the operation of the device, the opening of the platen closes theswitch for the colored lamp and sets the timing mechanism, namely, thedash-pot, the connection for the switch 43 to the platen being throughthe link 50, the levers 4:8 and the links 46 and 4L7. The dash-potconnection to the platen is through the link 56, which acts on the lever87 and is, in turn, connected to the dash-pot by the link 89, so thatthe dash-pot is raised against the tension of the spring 85 when theplaten is opened. The catch 93 retains the dash-pot in its open leasedby the movable member of the dash- 1 pot. The timing of the printingoperation is controlled by the adjustment of the catch by means of thelever 73, which adjusts the catch so that it is engaged earlier or laterin the stroke of the movable dash-pot member. The catch 71 beingreleased, the switch of the printing lamp opens and the cycle ofoperation is complete.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of means for actuating said dash-pot comprising apivoted lever, a link connecting said lever to said dash-pot, anactuating spring for said dash-pot connected to said lever; a link onsaid platen for actuating said lever against the tension of said springwhen said platen is opened; a catch for said lever; switch members; acatch for retaining said switch members in their closed position andarranged to be disengaged by the movable member of said dash-pot, saidcatch being provided with a longitudinal and a transverse slot; a springfor said catch; a stop pin for said catch engaging said transverse slotthereof; a lever for adjusting said catch having a pin arranged in saidlongitudinal slot thereof whereby the catch may be adjusted to be actedupon earlier or later in the stroke of the movable member of saiddash-pot; a pivoted switch closing member having a pin thereon; and aconnecting link for said dash-pot actuating lever catch and said switchclosing member, said link being longitudinally slotted to engage the pinon said switch closing member. 2. In a structure of the class described,the combination with the platen and dashpot, of means for actuating saiddash-pot comprising a pivoted lever, a link connecting said lever tosaid dashpot, an actuating spring for said dash-pot connected to saidlever; a link'on said platen for actuating said lever against thetension of said spring when said plate holder is opened; a catch forsaid lever; switch members; a catch for retaining said switch members intheir closed position arranged to be disengaged by the movable member ofsaid dash-pot, said catch being provided with a transverse and alongitudinal slot; a spring for said catch; a stop pin for said catchengaging said transverse slot thereof; and a lever for adjusting saidcatch having a pin arranged in the longitudinal slot of said catchwhere-' by the catch may be adjusted to be acted upon earlier or laterin the stroke of the movable member of said dash-pot.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of switch members; a catch for retain ing saidswitch members in their closed position arranged to be disengaged by themovable member of said dash-pot, said lever being provided with alongitudinal and a transverse slot; a spring for said catch; a stop pinengaging said transverse slot thereof; and a lever for adjusting saidcatch having a pin arranged in the longitudinal slot of said catchwhereby the catch may be adjusted to be engaged earlier or later in thestroke of the movable member of said dash-pot.

l. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of means for actuating said dash-pot comprising apivoted lever, a link connecting said lever to said dash-pot, anactuating spring for said dash-pot connected to said lever, a link onsaid platen for actuating said lever against the tension of said springwhen said platen is opened, a catch for said lever, switch members, anda catch for retaining said switch members in their closed position.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of means for actuating said dash-pot comprising apivoted lever, connections for said lever and said dash-pot, anactuating spring for said dash-pot connected to said lever, connectionsfor said platen to said lever for actuating said lever against thetension of said spring when said platen is opened, a catch for saidlever, switch members, a catch for retaining said switch members intheir closed position adapted to be disengaged by the movable member ofsaid dash-pot, means for adjusting said catch so that it is acted uponearlier or later in the stroke of the movable member of said dash-pot, aswitch closing member, and connections for said dash-pot actuating levercatch and said switch closing member.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of means for actuating said dash-pot comprising apivoted lever, connections for said lever and dash-pot, said platenbeing provided with means for actuating said lever, an actuating springfor said dash-pot connected to said lever, a catch for said lever,switch members, a catch for retaining said switch members in theirclosed position adapted to be disengaged by the movable member of saiddash-pot, means for adjusting said catch so that it is acted upon earlier or later in the stroke of the movable member of said dash-pot, aswitch closing member, and connections for said dash-p0t actuating levercatch and said switch closing member.

7. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dash-pot, of means for actuating said dash-pot comprising apivoted lever, connections for said lever and said dash-pot, anactuating spring for said dash-pot connected to said lever, connectionsfor said platen and said lever for actuating said lever against thetension of said spring when said platen is opened, a catch for saidlever, switch members, a catch for retaining said switch members intheir closed position adapted to be disengaged by the movable member ofsaid dash pot, and means for adjusting said catch so that it is actedupon earlier or later in the stroke of the movable member of saidclashpot.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of means for actuating said dash-pot comprising apivoted lever, connections for said lever and said dash-pot, anactuating spring for said dash-pot suitably connected thereto,connections for said lever and platen whereby said lever is set by theopening of the platen, a catch for said lever, switch members, a catchfor retaining said switch members in their closed positions adapted tobe disengaged by the movable member of said dash-pot, and means foradjusting said catch so that it is acted upon earlier or later in thestroke of the movable member of said dash-pot.

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of connections whereby said dash-pot is set by theopening of said platen, switch members, a catch for retaining saidswitch members in their closed position adapted to be disengaged by themovable member of said dash-pot, means for adjusting said catch so thatit is acted upon earlier or later in the stroke of the movable member ofsaid dash-pot, a switch closing member, and connections for saiddash-pot actuating lever catch to said switch closing member.

10. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and clashpot, of connections whereby said dash-pot is set by theopening of said platen, switch members, a catch for retaining saidswitch members in their closed position arranged in the path of themovable member of the dash-pot adapted to be disengaged by said movablemember, and means for adjusting said catch so that it is acted uponearlier or later in the stroke of the movable member of said dash-pot.

11. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of means for actuating said dash-pot comprising apivoted lever connected to said dash-pot, an actuating spring for saiddashpot connected to said lever, connections for said platen to saidlever for actuating said lever against the tension of said spring whensaid platen is opened, a catch for said lever, switch members, a catchfor retaining said switch members in their closed position adapted to bedisengaged by the movable member of said dash-pot, a switch closingmember operatable to close the switch independently of the closing ofthe platen, and connections for said dash-pot actuating lever catch andsaid switch closing member, whereby said dash-pot is released upon theclosing of the switch.

12. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of means for actuating said dash-pot comprising apivoted lever actuated by said platen connected to said dash-pot, anactuating spring for said dash-pot, a catch for said lever, switchmembers, a catch for retaining said switch members in their closedposition adapted to be disengaged by the movable member of saiddash-pot, a switch closing member operatable to close the switchindependently of the closing of the platen, and connections for saiddashpot actuating lever catch to said switch closing member.

13. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of means for actuating said dash-pot comprising apivoted lever actuated by said platen connected to said dash-pot, anactuating spring for said dash-pot, a catch for said lever, switchmembers, means for closing said switch members operatable independentlyof the closing of the platen, and a catch for retaining said switchmembers in their closed position adapted to be disengaged by the movablemember of said dash-pot.

14:. In a structure of the class described, the combination with theplaten and dashpot, of operating connections for said platen to saiddash-pot, switch members, means for closing said switch membersoperatable independently of the closing of the platen, and a catch forretaining said switch members in their closed position adapted to bedisengaged by the movable member of said dashpot.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two witnesses.

CHARLES A. ROOT. [11. s.]

Witnesses:

A. W. MILLGATE, OHAs. L. ARCHER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

